Miracle survivor walks away from deadly Air India crash
One man’s escape offers hope amid tragedy after Flight 171 crashes near Ahmedabad
A 40-year-old British passenger emerged alive from the wreckage of Air India Flight 171 after it crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, leaving 241 people dead.
On June 12, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time. Just 30 seconds after lift-off, the aircraft lost altitude and slammed into a medical college campus and nearby homes, creating one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.
Rescue teams arrived to horrifying scenes: classrooms collapsed under sections of fuselage, rooftops scattered with debris, and burnt wreckage strewn across streets. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik initially reported “no survivors,” confirming 204 bodies recovered and warning that residents in the densely populated area might also have perished. Exact casualty figures were still being confirmed as of June 13.
A lone survivor’s tale
In a stunning reversal, officials later revealed that one passenger had survived. Forty-year-old Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national visiting family in India, found himself alone amid the destruction. Bruised and shaken, he walked through smoking debris and charred bodies until bystanders placed him in an ambulance.
Breaking News: Miraculous Escape! Vishwas Kumar Ramesh survived a harrowing Air India flight incident from Ahmedabad. The brave passenger cheated death in what could have been a tragic plane crash. Our thoughts are with all those affected. #AirIndiaFlight #Ahmedabad… pic.twitter.com/oNmySKzlWQ
— Akash Srivastava (@isrivastavas) June 12, 2025
“Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” Vishwas told Hindustan Times from his hospital ward.
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.”
Vishwas remains hospitalized in Ahmedabad. His biggest worry now is the fate of his older brother, 45-year-old Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was traveling with him. “He was travelling with me. I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him,” Vishwas pleaded.
Victims and personal stories
Among the victims were Jamie and Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, a British couple who ran a wellness business together. Shortly before boarding, the couple filmed an upbeat Instagram Story from the airport: “Going back happily, happily, happily calm,” Fiongal said, unaware their smiles would be seen for the last time. Their friends remember them for warmth, partnership, and dreams left unfulfilled.
Officials have reached out to families around the world. Air India has offered support services and is coordinating with British and Indian authorities to assist survivors and next of kin.
Aviation experts say modern Dreamliners are among the safest aircraft, making this crash all the more shocking. Investigators from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Boeing representatives are examining flight data recorders to determine if mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors played a role. It may take months before a final report is released.
🚨 Jamie Ray Meek, a British citizen listed as a passenger on Air India Flight 171, reportedly shared a final Instagram Story shortly before takeoff.
He appears on the official manifest under GBR 149261531. A video believed to be his last post.#India #Crash #Ahmedabad #Boeing… pic.twitter.com/KmSpz9iOi9
— the Pulse (@thePulseGlobal) June 12, 2025
Locals have opened churches, mosques, and community halls as temporary shelters and family meeting points. Volunteers from across Ahmedabad have joined search-and-rescue efforts, shared food, and offered emotional support to grieving relatives. Social media has lit up with messages of sympathy:
“My heart goes out to all those affected. Sending strength to the lone survivor who walked through hell to see another day.”
As investigators work to uncover what went wrong, communities on both sides of the globe are left to mourn, remember, and find solace in small mercies. If you have information about the crash or wish to offer support, please contact Air India’s assistance hotlines or local consulates.
“Life is fragile,” a volunteer at the makeshift relief camp said. “But moments like these show us how we can come together to heal.”
